The main objective of the REACTIVA+ project is to develop a robust and industrially scalable technological process for the functional regeneration of degraded cathodes from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. This approach falls under the concept of direct recycling, differentiating itself from conventional technologies (pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy) by not destroying the crystalline structure of the cathode active material, but rather restoring it and reinserting the lithium lost during use.

To achieve this goal, the following specific objectives have been established:

SO1. Establish a technical protocol for battery classification based on their State of Health (SoH), as an essential preliminary step for their valorization.
SO2. Develop reproducible and safe procedures for the extraction of cells and components, adapted to multiple battery types.
SO3. Design and implement a pilot system for efficient dismantling and separation of the internal cell components.
SO4. Investigate direct recycling processes for the functional regeneration of cathode active materials.
SO5. Manufacture prototypes using regenerated materials, comparing their performance with that of virgin materials.
SO6. Assess the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the REACTIVA+ process through LCA, LCC, and S-LCA analyses.
SO7. Develop and implement a structured Communication and Dissemination Plan to facilitate knowledge transfer and promote participation in strategic events.

The achievement of this research will address key societal needs by enabling sustainable mobility through the use of electric vehicles with batteries made from recycled materials, and by improving the management of electronic waste, specifically lithium-ion batteries, which at the end of their life become polluting waste.

THIESEL